Kitab al-Iman is one of the most significant theological works of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, addressing the foundational Islamic concept of Iman (faith) with precision and depth. Composed in a period marked by intense theological disputes, this treatise presents a powerful defense of orthodox Islamic creed, rooted firmly in the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the understanding of the pious predecessors (al-salaf al-salih). In this groundbreaking work, Ibn Taymiyyah clarifies the distinction and interrelationship between Iman, Islam, and Ihsan, affirming that faith is not mere belief in the heart but a synthesis of speech, action, and conviction. He refutes the views of various sects-including the Murji'ites, Jahmites, Mu'tazilites, and Ash'arites-who either divorced Iman from action or misrepresented its nature. The translator's extensive introduction offers crucial biographical insights into Ibn Taymiyyah's life, trials, and scholarly legacy, setting the context for this remarkable work. The book also explores theological concepts such as the increase and decrease of Iman, the semantic nuances of Qur'anic language, and the debated issue of istithnaʾ (exception in faith statements). This edition, based on multiple authoritative Arabic manuscripts, brings together rigorous scholarship, historical background, and doctrinal clarity, making it an indispensable reference for students of Islamic theology, scholars of creed (ʿaqīdah), and readers interested in the intellectual heritage of Sunni orthodoxy.
